New American Restaurants near Pawcatuck, CT

“I love Owl and Dove. It is a wonderful place to have a dinner in the fall and winter. It's very cozy. The hostess who is always at the front is so nice. The food is outstanding. The only draw back is the service is extremely slow so dont go there if you have somewhere to be afterwards.“

“Catering plans for my daughter's birthday party fell apart the DAY BEFORE the party. Tony and the Pizza Lady bailed us out and provided great food (at a great price) with less than 24 hours to deliver. Amazing. I am impressed, grateful, and fully endorsing Pizza Lady as your next caterer (or movie-night Pizza Party).“

“The Shipwright's Daughter came highly recommended to us by locals we had talked with while vacationing in Mystic, and it did not disappoint. We booked a reservation for 7:15pm on a Saturday evening, and we were seated promptly at 7:15. From the hosts initial greeting, to our server first introducing herself at the table, every staff member made us feel welcomed. It was lovely. The cocktail my girlfriend ordered and the local draft I ordered were both outstanding. Our appetizers of Oysters on the Half Shell and a Yellowfin Tar Tar served on a Potato Pavé, were both so delicious, full of flavor, and beautiful. Our entrees consisted of the Zucchini Bucatini and the Duck Confit special, and both came out perfect. The seasoning, the cook of the duck, the plating were all immaculate. It's very clear the staff takes pride in their work, and make sure the guests have an outstanding experience. We finished with dessert, a Plum Sorbet Pavlova with a Peach Reduction, an Espresso Martini, and an Irish Coffee. We were finished with our meal and drinks and on our way by 8:20pm. All in all, it was the best experience I've had in a restaurant. The meals were phenomenal, the staff was top tier ( I apologize I can not remember our waitresses name, but she was outstanding), and the overall experience was more than I could have hoped for. If you are traveling to the mystic area, and you want to have an outstanding dining experience, this is the place for it“

“We’ve been coming to Oyster Club since it opened in the early 2010s, and this visit may have been our most memorable yet. This restaurant — and its ownership group — has been the driving force behind the Mystic restaurant renaissance, and they continue to set the standard for excellence.\n\nThe space itself adds so much to the experience. With rough-hewn beams and warm wooden paneling, it feels like a cozy New England barn — inviting, intimate, and perfectly aligned with the farm- and sea-driven menu.\n\nWe began with the beets. Beets! Truly the best we’ve ever tasted. Deep, sweet, earthy, and prepared with such care that you can tell everything is sourced thoughtfully and cooked with intention.\n\nFor entrées, I had the winter flounder with cabbage while my wife had the tagliatelle. Both were outstanding. After my first bite of flounder, I actually closed my eyes just to savor it and try to identify each layer of flavor — everything complemented everything else.\n\nThe service was exceptional. Our server, Colleen, along with the rest of the staff, made sure we were never without a refill or anything we needed. And what we’ve always loved is that Oyster Club aims to turn customers into friends — after this visit, I’m pretty sure we’ve become their newest best friends.\n\nRenee Toupance, a two-time James Beard Award finalist (Best Chef: New England and Best Chef: U.S.), clearly pours tremendous thought into every dish. The flavors are balanced, intentional, and beautifully harmonious. And my rye cocktail was the perfect balance of delicious and boozy.\n\nAnother unforgettable visit to a place that remains a true gem. We’ll be back again — and often.“

“📅 01.04.25 ✍🏾 BIG AL’S WRITTEN REVIEW EP. CANCELLED Ella’s Food & Drink 👎🏾 📍 Westerly, Rhode Island I pulled up to Ella’s to do what I’ve done over 197 times before. I filmed a quick intro outside, walked in, got a quick vid of the interior and before I got to sit down for a food review it went downhill fast. Almost immediately, the energy felt off. As I started my usual walkthrough (phone in hand), the interaction with the owner turned uncomfortable. Instead of being welcoming or neutral, the tone came off as condescending, rude and dismissive. There was no effort to de-escalate the situation, and I quickly felt unwelcome in the space. At that point, I made the right decision to leave. I didn’t raise my voice. I didn’t make a scene. I simply chose not to stay where I didn’t feel respected or welcomed. I’m always courteous, polite, and respectful when I walk into any establishment, and my money is just as good as anyone else’s. I would have easily dropped $250 on that visit including a generous tip for my server. When the vibe is off, I listen to that instinct. Based on this experience, I do not recommend this spot. ☝🏾❤️ - Big Al Mayo “Always keeping it Real to Reel”“

“Our server Randi was very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. She is a real p.lus for your business. The firecracker shrimp was amazing.“

“Arrived in town and craving a good chowder. While here we also ordered the crab cakes and grilled swordfish. Done to perfection with excellent seasoning. Heirloom tomato and watermelon salad was a great starter. This hotel restaurant did not disappoint.“

“Our #1 favorite place to eat! Very friendly with outstanding food, and a wonderful atmosphere.“

“Had a good experience here. Ordered parm truffle fries with a bacon cheeseburger and also wanted to get a chicken sandwich for later so decided on the buffalo chicken sandwich

Fries were amazing. Lots of flavor on every fry. The bacon cheese burger was good but I wasn't blown away. Expected it to be a little bigger honestly. Had the chicken sandwich later and I will say it was probably one of the best buffalo chicken sandwiches I've had. Will definitely return ♥️“

“The food was very good! My husband and I shared the Lobster roll it wasn’t overly buttered , you can taste the lobster. The atmosphere eas nice and service was good.“

“📅 11.13.25 *WRITTEN REVIEW Big Al’s Reel Reviews - EP.180 Whitecrest Eatery 💎 (Velvet Mill - Stonington Borough, CT) Tonight I headed back inside the historic Velvet Mill for my next food adventure and Whitecrest Eatery did not disappoint. Founded in 2019 by husband & wife team Johan Jensen, a Danish born, British-trained chef, and Abby Hamann, a Connecticut native, Whitecrest focuses on fresh, high-quality ingredients and dishes that are handmade with care. You can seriously feel that philosophy the moment the plates hit the table/bar. I grabbed a seat at the bar, and the place was packed. The atmosphere was low-lit, warm, bustling, with high ceilings and beautiful décor that makes the Velvet Mill such a standout setting. Service was handled by a small three-person team: Liz (manager)- friendly, welcoming, and a supporter of Big Al’s Reel Reviews Amber (my bartender/server)- attentive and on point Jocy- helping run the floor Even with a full house, they kept everything moving smoothly. Service was bomb.💣 Now let's talk about the Food: 1️⃣ Steamed Wild Maine Mussels- $16 💣 BOMB The sauce- cream fraîche, herbs, Weissling, and lemon was addictive. Mussels cooked perfectly, full of flavor, and the sourdough they make in house and served with it was the perfect pairing. A strong bomb right out the gate. 2️⃣ Béarnaise Burger- $22 💣 BOMB Burger came out perfectly cooked bright pink inside, juicy, seasoned right. Alone, it’s a thumbs-up… But then the tallow fries hit. These fries are soft, hot, insanely flavorful, and some of the best fries I’ve had anywhere. The fries elevated the entire plate into a straight bomb. 3️⃣ Roasted Duck Breast- $36 💣 BOMB This dish was incredible. Duck breast cooked perfectly, tender, rich, and beautifully plated. The potatoes were absolutely amazing, and every bite delivered. I was full, but I wanted more. Another full bomb. ⭐ FINAL VERDICT: WHITECREST EATERY IS AN OFFICIAL BIG AL’S 💎 GEM SPOT 💎🔥 Every dish: bomb Service: bomb Atmosphere: bomb Experience: bomb That makes two Gem Spots inside the Velvet Mill 💎 Dock 9 and 💎 Whitecrest Eatery. If you’re in or near Stonington Borough, this place is absolutely worth checking out so get your a** down there right away, and make sure you tell ’em Big Al sent you! To the Whitecrest Eatery Team: Thank you, I had an amazingly Dope dining experience ❤️ ☝🏾❤️ - Big Al Mayo “See you on the Rebound, Peace✌🏾out”“

“Megan was amazing! The best party event we had. It was so much fun, it ran so smoothly and kids had a blast! Thank you! I’ll def will recommend this place!“

“📅 11.15.25 *WRITTEN REVIEW Big Al’s Reel Reviews - EP.181 Noah’s Restaurant 👎🏾 Stonington Borough, CT Tonight I headed into the historic and absolutely beautiful Stonington Borough for Episode 181, and I started my evening with a quick stop at the nationally known Lobster Trap Tree. They just finished putting it up on Friday. You will see a ton of dope custom painted buoys, the whole display looks incredible. It’s only two blocks from Noah’s, so after checking that out, I took the short walk through the Borough and made my way over for dinner. I arrived early, around 4:30pm which was before the full dinner rush, but people were already flowing in. By 5:35 PM, in the dining section alone (10 tables total), 7 were filled and more guests were coming in minute by minute. Inside, Noah’s gives you that classic New England charm. It's beautiful. Warm lighting, rustic décor, and dope local prints of New London, Stonington, and shoreline scenes all across the walls. It genuinely felt like stepping straight into a Hallmark movie. My server tonight was Ryan, friendly, attentive, and had water waiting at my table right from the start. He also brought out bread with a plate of butter, which was a good touch. Service was friendly, but overall super slow. I waited 40 minutes for my main dish even though the restaurant wasn’t fully packed yet. Alright, let’s talk about the food... 🍽️ THE FOOD 1️⃣ Steamed Mussels- $14 Garlic, butter, white wine, parsley I really wanted to like these and I love garlic, but these mussels were overpowered. The garlic was extremely strong, to the point where it drowned out everything else. Worse, the mussels had a slightly sour taste, and the broth wasn’t enjoyable. I literally choked down 2 mussels on bread and I was done! I couldn’t finish them. 👎🏾 Thumbs Down 2️⃣ Oven-Roasted Chicken Wings- $13 (I chose BuffaBlue) The wings were a no-go for me. Dry, bland, over-baked - just not it. And the “Buffalo Blue” sauce? Yo Listen… I spent $13 for seven unseasoned chicken wings that were dry, over-baked, and came with a little tin of Frank's Red Hot sauce with a dollop of blue cheese dressing mixed in. That wasn’t going to cut it. No way. That was an insult 🤷🏾‍♂️ and that’s why these wings earned a 👎🏾 Thumbs Down 3️⃣ Fettuccine (Arugula/Walnut/Pesto)- $16+ Stonington Bay Scallops- $20 This dish saved the entire night. The pesto was fresh and flavorful, the pasta looked and tasted incredible, and the Stonington Bay scallops that are caught right off the boats here were sweet, tender, and absolutely delicious. This was the one plate that delivered. 💣 BOMB 4️⃣ Apple Crisp- $8 A rare move for me, I actually ordered dessert tonight. It was to cheer me up from the disappointing dinner. It didn't cheer me up but it was good. 💬 FINAL THOUGHTS Noah’s is a landmark here in Stonington, it’s been part of the Borough since 1979, and the atmosphere inside is truly beautiful. The town is charming, the décor is gorgeous, and the vibes were perfect. But the food tonight with one hit (💣), two major misses (👎🏾👎🏾), and slow service didn’t help. The mussels and wings were a disappointment, but the fettuccine with scallops was excellent. Based on tonights visit, Noah's Restaurant did not pass the Big Al's Reel Reviews 👎🏾 And as always, these are my honest opinions based on what I experienced. You know that I always keep it Real to Reel, and you can always go try it yourself and decide but for me, it's a no-go 👎🏾 "See you on the rebound, Peace✌🏾Out!" ☝🏾❤️ - Big Al Mayo “Always keeping it Real to Reel”“

“Sunday Fundays are the best!!!!!“

“Coast's quietly elegant ambience, top-level attentive service, and panoramic ocean views make it a great special-occasion destination. And, unlike many restaurants that let great views excuse mediocre food, Coast's prix fixe menu gets top marks start to finish, including gluten-free adaptations where needed for one of us. Everything was beautifully prepared, with intriguing and delicious flavors and garnishes. The portions for each of the five courses were sized just right, so that we did not end up uncomfortably filled, just happily thrilled! I also highly recommend a wine pairing add-on that's available. Even though we "settled" for the less expensive of the pairing menus, every wine was perfectly matched to the food, and knowledgeably described by our server. All told, a memorable dining experience!“

“Really good service from Kate. Great atmosphere/ambiance, and it was really cool we could literally see right into the very clean and well-run kitchen directly from our seats.

Insanely fast service for a decently packed house. App was out in just a few minutes followed by the entrees before we could even finish the app

Reasonably priced and good food. Wings were small quantity (6) but absolutely massive and flavorful. Pulled pork sandwich and fries were solid as well. Really happy with our choice during our trip. Full bill with an app two entrees and shared dessert came to only ~60“

“Just a sumptuous dinner at one of the most stately of resorts. Everything about the visit was 5 stars plus! The staff is top notch and exceptionally friendly. Our server was Ricardo and he was excellent. The most serene water view from our table added to the ambience. The summer campanelle and the Italian sausage rigatoni were perfect. The chocolate torte and the panna cotta were perfect. The drinks such as the Weekapaug sunrise were perfect. Definitely a place to come back to again and again.“

“Great local club. It’s been in great shape the last 2 years! Very good staff and lots of local members.“

“It is a great place to dine and enjoy yourselves!🤗🌼🌼🤗“

“Food was delicious. 10/10. Would highly recommend and come back when I’m in the area. Service was friendly even tho I did take out. Everything was packed neatly and included utensils.“

“Wanted to give you a well deserved compliment! Ordered a couple pizzas tonight and they were absolutely delicious. Thanks for delivering hot pizza on a cold night!“

“Standard sports bar with pub fare, decent craft beer selection and my mom's favorite wine. It's been up and down here with food and service speed but on my last visit (5/4/23), the food came quickly and looked really solid. I didn't eat but had a few craft beers. Bartender isn't the most knowledgeable on the craft offerings but the selection is good! Came for trivia on a Thursday evening.“

“What a fun and elevated bowling experience! Great food and drinks . Service was lovely ! Very clean ! Highly recommend!“

“We love going to the Mystic seaport and this was a great pub! The food was terrific and the beer was great. You order inside of the counter and they bring it to your table outside. They also have indoor seating. Would recommend if you are going to see the historic village.

Kid-friendliness: Great for the kids because you sit outside.“

“Great place to listen to a band, play some corn hole, have a few drinks and have the best lobster roll in RI!“

“My clam chowder and grilled mushroom sandwich were wonderful: cup of soup with half a sandwich were more than satisfying. My husbands toasted smoked turkey club sandwich was generous and delicious. Topping everything were two glasses of champagne and an over-the-top dessert of bourbon bread pudding topped with popcorn flavored ice-cream with caramel coated salty popcorn. Fantastic!“

“My husband and I and our dear friends had dinner at the Haversham last weekend. A wonderful experience. As a young girl , I grew up on the Hillandale Farm which is very close to the Tavern. It was wonderful to see all of the references to Westerly on the menu. Sunrise salad, The Gavitt burger ( my maiden name was Gavitt) Westerly water, The Bradford,( where I live now), Dusty's Sundae ( an old ice cream shop in Dunn's Corners, long ago ) .The staff and dinner were great. I highly reccomend this resturant, especially if you are visiting from another town or State. Just a small piece of our wonderful state of RI.“

“My husband and I are both gluten free. The gluten free pizza is the best. We love the chopped Italian salad and order it every time we come. The service is awesome, too.“